Combination wheelbarrow and trailer



12, 1952 A. E. REHNBERG COMBINATION WHEELBARROW AND TRAILER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed March 26, 1947 amen view ARTHUR E. REHNBERG @W '(h. 9M0 G 1952 A. E. REHNBERG 2,606,771

COMBINATION WHEELBARROW AND TRAILER Filed March 26, 1947 2' SHEETS-SHEET 2 grwwwtw ARTHUR E.. REHNBEKQ YVA feature ofthe. present invention reside wheel atv one; end thereof which] Patented Aug. 12, 1952 r QOM BINATIQN 'WHE TRAIL ELBARRDWAND ER;

Arthur E. Itehnberg, St. rem-, trinnr Application 26, 1947, Serial No. 737,245

My .i e tim r' la-rtesv to an improvement n combination wheel barrow andtrfailer Vwherei it desired to provide. a device of, this nature WhIQh may-Lbe' sedin a dual capacity.

rare -sier a. often us dlfqriiqarryingj luggage .obplipment whi h an n nfbe ,Q-

l ll Glai-mst (Cl. 230-42) i pro iding a 11 1; so, connecting; these side frame "rfhembe'rswhich holds the si'defframe members storedlinan automobile. ,Ifn loading unioail s the wheel ban onsiderahl q lantity of materi fi hwhiich m be. handled eithr as a. trailer or aslawhe'el barliow. My. trailer is particularlydesirable; for home. owners whohaye only occasion-a1 need for ,ither'fa; wheelibarrow or a, trailjenf It is, also extremely desirablefor campersand persons who own' lake property as the material. beifriahaulea may. beloadedonto the wheel barrow carried to theautOmobileI-therein; hauled to a destination bathe automobile. and oarried to unloading post}- tionwhile detached rr'om thejcar.

s m the. provisio or, a...dev1ci of the character described, whigh is fold'able into a small. space when :not, in 'use. .The combined trailer. and

wheelbarrow may be folded into. a,substantiall y fiaticondition. when not inr use, thus-may be stored in. a garage or shed which is,not, oi sulfibien't, size to 7 store aj trailer or Wheel. barrow 'of 1151131 construction. I e r A feature; of the present. inventionlies in the maoyieion of the apparatus; of the character desoribed having a. body formed, of heavy fabric or other suitable lmateri-aljwhioh is flexible. and

foldable andis adaptable to receiregobjectsof variQu shfi l dded fea ure of h'e'n es nt; in the provision ozf a trailerhaving' a, s gleoast'er v co ne ted through. asuitable fitting'to the short'errds of a 'pair o'f substantially J -shaped frame members;

These frame members are folda ble" into parallel relationship when; the apparatusis to be stored and are-ioldable into spaoed relationship to provide opposite-side supportsfor the body'when in condition for use.

'iAn additional feature of the" present" invention lies; in the provision of'a device of the character described having, apair of side frame members qldeb Q Ph T n p cedre t nsh1p,.;azrd

' flexi le may.

vention has indefinite fixed. relationship when the apparatus is. in p,osition' ,for use.

' Arr added inur pro, de'sor'ihed having side, frame members? fol'dable from adjacent to spaced 'relationshipand in providing a pair of foldable connecting 1 members between the. side frame members which act as supports. for the forward and rear ends of the feature. of the present invention lies These and other ob-jfe'cts'and novel features or my invention will be] more clearly and/fully set iorth, in, the following specification and. Claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification: 1

Eigmterl is atop; planview of my combination trailer: and wheel barrow? showing: the construction thereoi.)

y 2T1 asid eleyational View ofthe same. v lffi'gure 3 a front levationalvfew of the same. Eigure; 4,1 atop plan iew of the member for connecting the sidehtrame members; to" the supwhell v v v "gnre 5.. is. seotional. --View-o f. the. connector, the position ofthe. section being indioatedfby the -5:.5' -F 5 rA- Figure 6 isa'diagrammatio viewshowing one .otthecross members Connecting the side frame m mbe sifiigureflv is, avperspfective. View of a clamp which may be usedior connecting the side'frame mem} bers t theiuwm bne bu'mp'e f f Fig re ais e-p r pe i i w-0 o o therlegs or. my; apparatus showing, the construction thereon Figure fiisa yiew of my combinedtrailer and wheelbarrow showing a rigidbodysubstituted-for tneflnemsm .epq' t e eof; 1

Theo-combined trailer and-wheel barrow includes arpait bf, Substantially Jv--shaped side framememhers I11, and III. which arefidentical. in design and. f p Each .of thesemembrsi'nclndesthefelongated? ub' ,antially, vstraig htfhandle portion. 12 whicli ish 'yedlatfone end toterminatelin apivot p ftijon. [3 in, sh-lo-stantiailyr parallel, relationship ,w he ha ,6 portions: [2; These side;frame ifsjlljandfll formfthe side'supports fQli-ihe body; as will; 531841191 .d'escribed in detail.

ion of a. device of ."the o11ar acter engaged in their tubular bearings l5. Collars l9 are likewise provided on the frame member extremities M to cooperate with the collars H in holding the extremities M from axial movement in their bearings |5. Lugs 2|! are provided on the collars |9 to engage against the upper surface of the casting 16 to limit rotative movement of the frame members I and H in one direction. When the frame members [0 and H are folded into adjacent relationship as indicated in Figure of the drawings the lugs 20 will be spaced from the upper surface of the casting i6 but when the frame members I3 and H are in spread apart I6 to hold these frame members from further rotation.

frame members if) and II. 'side frame members are in separated relation 4 are pivoted into adjacent relationship, the links 32 and 33 must pivot relative to each other to reach vertical parallel relationship. During this pivotal movement the sleeves 35 and 43 rotate about their respective side frame members to allow this action to take place. When the links 32 and 33 are in vertical parallel relationship, they can both be folded in unison about the pivots 42 and 41 so that the links 32 and 33 lie parallel to the handle portions |2 of the side However, when the the cross members form a rigid link therebeposition the lugs 23 engage against thecasting tween.

The body portion of the combined trailer and wheel barrow is indicated by the numeral 55.

The details of the hinge joint 2| are notimportant to the present invention. However, Figure 5 illustrates the casting |6 as being pivotally connectedby a pivot bolt 22 to a wheel supporting bracket 23. A hearing 24 may be interposed between these elements to simplify the turning operation. The wheel supporting bracket23 includes a top plate 25 and a pair of substantially parallel depending plates 26 between which the pivotal axis 2'!- of the wheel 29 extends. I g

The side frame members l0 and l are connected by a pair of cross connecting members 30 and 3!. The crossmember 3| connects the side frame members at a point near the curved ends l3 thereofgwhile the cross member 30 is at a substantial distance from the cross member 3|.

Thecrossmembers are generally identical in such as 36. The tubu1ar bearing is provided with a flat ear 3|;projecting therefrom which is apertured at 39 to receive a pivotbolt.

The end of the link 32 is providedwith a slot 40 at its endto receive the ear 31. A hole 4| is drilled through the link end to receive a pivot pin or bolt 42 which allows the link 32 to pivot in any plane containing theaxesof; the handle portion i2 of the frame member ||l and'the link 32.

The frame member is similarly provided with a bearing sleeve 4'3'held from longitudinal movementby cotter pins 44 or other equivalent means. The bearing sleeve 43 is provided with a'projecting car 45 which is, drilled to accommodate a pivot bolt. The link 33 is provided with a slot 46 in its outer end, which slot is designed to receive the ear 45. A" pivot bolt 41' extends through the slotted end of the link 33 and through the ear 45 to support the link 33 pivotal on any plane handle portion [2 of the frame member The central connecting element 34 comprises a flat elongated body 49 which is designed to. en-

gagein vertical slots 50 and 5| in the adjacent ends of the links 32 and at. A pivot bolt I8 pivwhich contains the axes of'both the link 33 and I otally connects the center member 34 to thelink 32 while a similar pivot bolt 52 pivotally connects the link 32 to this center membe' tends along the top-of' the frain the pivotal 'motion o {the nk .itive' to' the' -ce'nte'r 'membr 3'4 in one d 'ltwill" be seen that asthe side fram |.2. the frame portions l2 and through the cars 65 This body portion comprises in preferred form a sack like member of fabric or other suitable material. This body 55 is provided along opposite side edges with tubular sleeve portions 55 which are designed to embrace the portion of the side frame members which lie between the cross braces 30 and 3|. The front end of the body 55 is likewise provided with a pair of spaced aligned. sleeves 51 which embrace the arms 32 and '33 of the front cross member 3| on opposite sides [of the center connecting member 34. The opposite end of the body 55 is likewise provided with a pair of aligned sleeve portions 59 which embrace the arms 32 and 33 of the cross member 33 on opposite sides of the center connecting member 34. Between the side sleeve portions 56and the end sleeve portions 51 the body is cutaway at 68 so as not to interfere with the'folding operation. Similarly between the sleeve members 56 and the end sleeves 59 the body iscut away at 6| to avoid interference with the folding operation. The body is also cut away at 32 between the aligned end sleeve portions to avoid interference with the folding operation of the central connecting members" 34 of the cross members 30 and 3 j The side portions l2 of the side frame members ID and I] are provided with foldable legs which may act to support the body when the device A is being used'as a wheel barrow. The

leg sf'BIi are substantially semi-circular in" cross section" and are centrally notched at 64 adjacent the upperedge thereof to provide a pair of spaced parallel upwardly projecting arms 65 designed to extend on opposite sides of the frame portions Pivot bolts 66 extend transversely through of the legs 63 to pivotally connect the legs to the frame members. The legs 63are of proper radius to f t closely about the frame portions |2 when not in use and may "be held in elevated position by'any suitable means. In Figure 2 of the drawings Idisclosebolt means 61 which may extend through the frame portions l2 and through the legs 63 in elevated position thereof tjoholdthe legs in. this elevated'position. v

The'means for holding the ends of the side framemembers 'l0 and H to the bumper'B of an} automobile or the like is best illustrated in Eigure I of the drawings. This connecting means includes in preferred form an upright bar 69 which is bent outwardly at 13 to fit the outer curvature of a bumper. A fixing lug having downwardly projecting teeth l2is designed to engage the npper edge of the bumper B while a fcoop'rebl'e movable lug :13 is slidably mounted the bar fi9 and is provided ect d et li dg 'g s' ttq "gigetheitwer eag'trtnebumper. "A' wing nut aeoeyzn or other suitable clamping element. is threadablyisecuredionthe lower end'of therod 69-.

Aszbes't illustrated in Figure 'Irthe upper extremity-ofthe barl69gis' bent laterally as indicated; at lfi and is designed to engagein a suit.- able itrans'verseraperture in the free ends, ofthe handleportionsi I 2 of the side framemembers IOJand IL-If-:desired-cotter .pins or. .otherzmeans may benprovidedrto hold:the side frame members engagediwith the members .69... r In Figure 9 of the drawings I disclose themanner inawhichia rigidboxmay be substituted for the flexible body of myapparatus if it is so desired. In this construction the caster wheel, the wheel support, the side frame members the cross frame members, and the legsare identical to those of the. structure previously described. However, in the structure shown in Figure 9 the flexible body 55 has been removed from the frame and ar igid body indicatedinigeneral bythe numeral-l-T'issubstitutedtherefor;-

The body 11 comprises a rigid box having a closed bottom which is not illustrated and upw-ardly extending side walls19' and endwlalls. 80

thereupon. A substantiallyJ shaped bracket 8| 7 extends upwardly from a point near the'longitudinal center of each of the side walls'lB', the long side of the-J being connected to the side walls and the short end thereof forming a downwardly-directed hook engageable over the side frame portions: -Bolts 82 may extend through the opposite sides of the bracket if so desired to hold the body securely in place.

A pair of inverted J -shaped brackets 83 extend upwardly in spaced relation from each end wall 80 of the body I1. These brackets 83 are designed to hook over cross members and 3| on opposite sides of the center connecting members 34 thereof. Bolts 84 may extend through the brackets 83 if desired to hold the body Tl securely in place.

With the construction illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings the frame is still collapsible, but it is necessary to detach the body from the frame before the frame can be folded. The body 11 is designed as an attachment to the trailer for use when a rigid body is essential.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my combined wheel barrow and trailer, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a pair of side frame members, each member including generally parallel upper and lower portions and an interconnecting portion, a wheel support secured to the lower portions of the frame members, a pair of cross members foldable intermediate their ends connecting said frame members at spaced points, and a flexible body suspended from said frame members and said cross members and foldable with said cross members.

2. A device of the character described comprising a pair of frame members arranged in generally parallel relationship, each member including generally parallel upper and lower portions and an interconnecting portion, a wheel support, longitudinally extending generally parallel bearings thereupon, said bearings forming means pivotally connecting the lower portions of said; frame members 4110. said wheel support to pivot 'i.into ..adjacent; relationship .or into iaspaced relationship, a casteniwheel supported by J said wheel; support, and a body j supported by. said frame members out of, .verticale-alignment with s'aidwheel, I' 5 H 3; A device'of-the character describedcoms prising a :pair; of substantially parallelframe members;.a.-;each member including: generally parallel upper and. lower portions and .aninter-.- connecting portion, a'wheel. support having longitudinally extending generally parallel bearings thereon, saidibe'aring forming means pivotally connecting the lower portions of said frame members to said wheel support to support; saidofra'me members pivotal from spaced relation to; adja cent. relation, a caster uwheel supported: bye-said wheel support, and a. flexible zbodyzsupportedoby said frame members:

'4. A device of the character com prising a :pair of substantially .J'-shapedframe. members, a wheel support, a pair of longitudi: nally extending substantially parallel bearings-.on said wheelsupportin which theshort. ends of said; frame members are tpivotally xengaged, 2a caster wheel supported by said wheel support, and-a body supported by said frame members; P 5 A device of thecharacter described-comprising a pairaof longitudinally extending sub stanti'allyJ-shaped iramexmembers, a; wheel supiport, a pair of substantially parallelbearingsifln said wheel support engagingzithe short aendszof said frame members tos pivotally'"support:the same, a caster wheel supported by said wheel support, and brace means operable to hold the long ends of said parallel frame members in parallel spaced relationship.

6. A device of the character described comprising a wheel support, a caster wheel supported by said wheel support, a pair of longitudinally extending substantially parallel bearings on said wheel support, a pair of substantially parallel frame members, each member including generally parallel upper and lower portions and an interconnecting portion, means connected to the lower portions of said frame members and supported in said bearings to support said frame members pivotalfrom adjacent relationship to spaced relationship, and foldable brace means members, said braces being foldable upon fold- 1 ing movement of said frame members.

8. A device of the character described com- I prising a wheel support, a wheel supported thereby, a pair of longitudinally extending parallel bearings on said support, a pair of substantially J-shaped frame members having the short ends thereof engaged in said bearings and piv-' otally supported thereby, the long ends of said frame members being pivotal from substantially parallel spaced relationship to substantially parallel adjacent relationship, a pair of cross braces pivotally connected to the long ends, of said frame members, said braces being foldable upon folding movement of said frame members, each of said cross bracesincluding a pair of-links pivotally connected together. t

19. Av device of the character describedicomprising a wheel support, a wheel supported thereby, parallel bearings on said support, a pair of substantially J-shaped frame members having the short ends thereofrengaged in said bearings andpivotally supportedithereby, the long ends of said frame members being pivotal from substantially parallel spaced relationship to substantially parallel adjacent relationship, a pair of cross braces pivotallyconnected to the long ends of said frame members, said braces being foldableupon folding movement of said frame members, said braces being pivotal into vertical parallel relationship upon the folding of saidframe members together, and pivotmeans connecting said links to said frame members, whereby said folded links may be simultaneously folded into substantially parallel relation with said frame members.

l0. A device of the character described comprising a pair of substantially J-shaped frame units,.a wheel support, means for pivoting the short ends of said frame unit about their axes along parallel longitudinally extending axes to said wheel support, a wheel supported by said wheel support, a body supported between the lon :ends of said frame members, and a pair of 11. A device'of the character described com prising a wheel support, a wheel supported thereby, a pair of substantially parallel be'aringsconnect'edxto said wheel support, a pair of substantially J-shaped frame, units havinglthe short ends thereof pivoted about their axesin saidbearings, a bodysupported by the long ends of said frame members,'. and .means cooperable. between the short ends of said frame members and said wheel support to limit relative pivotal movement there- 'between. i. V

. ARTHUR E. REHN'BERG.

ufREFERENcEs- CITED The-following references are of record in the fileof this-patent: 4 Hurra STATES PATENTS .Number'.

Name. Date 7 120,159 McKibbin Oct. 24, 1871 674,710 Pierce i May 21, 1901 704,426 Allen July 8, 1902 1,242,418 Booth 'Oct. 9, 191'! 1,428,000 Bens Sept. 5, 1922 2,264,121 Pattiani" Nov. 25,1941 2,422,331 Bates June 17, 1947 2,431,834 Sinclair Dec. 2, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number 7 Country "Date 360,183

Germany Sept, 30, 1922 

